To all to whom it may concern,

I have been posting here for ten years. A lot can change in a persons life in ten years. In the late eighties and throughout the nineties I had a great job with a niche software company. I was making really good money, enjoyed my job and traveled all over North America and Western Europe. Unfortunately after the debacle of the Y2K scare in the software world, business in that niche and some other areas of the industry came to a screeching halt.

I had gotten in on the very ground floor in that industry in 1988 and rode it to the pennacle. It was a great ride up and a long, slow, agonizing trip back down. I hung on longer than almost anyone and when the industry was almost completely soaked up by big companies and made into a commodity to give away with more profitable products, I was too old to start the climb again in another industry.

I even went through a short stint as a Fork Truck mechanic, and then made it back into a related industry in a much lower level job. In the course of everything falling apart I even got my ASE Master thinking I might have to work on cars for a living.

Feburary of 2009 my Dad, a World War II Naval combat veteran who spent the last year of World War II as a member of the Secretary of the Navy staff in Washington, DC, started a decline in health that led him into a nursing home with severe health problems and Dimensia. He passed away just a few short months ago. My Mom is still living and requires some very difficult care that my wife and I try to provide.

I never knew that I was so dependent on the conversation and encouragement of my Dad. His loss has effected me very drastically.

I like to think that in my early days on MShop I offered lots of help to folks. I don't think there are very many people remaining here that were around at that time. I was on top of the world in my life and at such times it's easy to be helpful and respectful of others. When life is not so easy, that's when keeping your head up and helping others is a challenge. This has been a challenge that I very obviously have not met.

I am not an MB bigot. When I was driving 60 to 70K miles a year, MB's were the ideal car for that application. The subject of cars is one of the few in which I am very open minded, liking all kinds of cars of all types and makes. As a result I have freqented many Car Discussion Forums and NONE OF THEM compared to this site in it's formation years, and most of them can't compare to this site as it is today.

So with that preface I offer my apologies for going astray on this site. My life has changed for the worse, but there's no excuse for me taking it out on anyone here, even the challenging ones among you.

I offer my best wishes to all,
Larry

Hey Larry:

Thanks for the honesty and sincerity. I have only been on this forum for a few years but have read many references to your name. I wondered though why I saw so few posts from you. I guessed that you were more active before I was on the forum. Anyway, I hope to hear more from you. I also hope that you find your way into something satisfying and fulfilling.

Richard

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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

Larry--You are one of my go-to guys on this site. I don't know what your infraction was, but I can't believe that it detracts in any significant way from your contributions.

Your response shows class and character, a truly diminished quality in folks these days.

Best wishes to you, sir.

Larry helped me understand and showed me, with others, how to do a valve adjustment on my 617 .The fastlane /peachparts tech session #1 was a big deal for me ,I got to meet some of the senior members and learnered that Im not the only MB diesel nut in Texas.Thanks LB.

I like when you chime in. You're one of many on here that know what you are talking about when it comes to mechanics. Your life has changed but not for the worse, it has just changed as all lives change, Don't think of what you don't have but what you do have. Your father is at rest and looking down on you. You can talk to him in your garage. I talk with my passed uncle when I need him and he always has a solution. You are correct, it is easy to be nice when your on top. You are still that person and who says you are not on top of life now..... good luck and thanks

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83 300D 227,xxx miles, sold
86 300 SDL 130,000 miles, sold

...and so many people ask the same A/C questions over and over without searching first!

You saved me $300 with your posts on is it the strip fuse or regulator or blower motor or bad yellow wire or ignition switch or PB CCU or aspirator blower.

Thanks!

Larry,

While I am relatively new to this forum, I can identify with your life path - mine is very similar. I know it can cause one to lose his "sense of humor" over many things now experienced. I can also identify the loss of your father, as mine passed in 1995, leaving me (as an only child) directionless & leaderless. Dealing with his estate was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

Having said all that, I do know that from my short time here on the forum you have been one of the few "go-to guys", especially for A/C related info. Your posts have helped me personally & I always look for your posts whether they are A/C related or not.

I have not met you yet, although it would be a great pleasure to do so. I believe that, given things that have happened in our lives, that to have a "grouchy moment" is something that has been earned & should be accepted as such. We all try to be objective here & help where we can. Sometimes the odd poster can "get up our noses" & unleash the grouch. Understandable in my book. The important thing is to get past it, apologize & go on with our love for our MBs.

Good on you, Larry! You have earned my undying respect for your apology & very knowledgable & helpful posts.

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1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed

Larry,
I don't think that I can add anything more to what everybody have said before me.
I am glad to have you back.

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http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/scotflag.gif http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v.../scot2flag.gif

"If women are so bloody perfect at multitasking how come they can't have a headache and sex at the same time?"
Billy Connolly

Hi Larry, how you doing...?

Things like this often get blown out of proportion, a great guy in a bad situation on a bad day can say something thats mis-construed, and before you know it, its an infraction heading your way...

I had one recently too...

Personally, I hear your heart-felt post above, and all I can say dont let an Internet Forum worry you, looks like its all over now so lets look forward and not back.......

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http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

Larry,
Unlike you, I have only been on this forum for fewer months than you have been years.

In that short time I have found your posts to be some of the most technically well based, bar none!! I have learned a lot from you.

If some feel that you have been "politically incorrect" then maybe they are the ones that need to reconsider their ideas and values. A little tolerance and a fair go appears to be often lacking in many places in society these days.

Maybe there is a need for some minor changes to procedure to improve things.
Maybe it would be easier just to have a post that some one found inappropriate simply removed.
Many on here feel that if some one is given a warning, its a bit rich then to go to the next step (infraction) for a post that occurs prior to them receiving the warning. Even in road law violations here in Australia, an offense can not be considered a second offense unless it occurred after some one has received their first offense notice.

If a small number of people on here can not accept you for how you are at any particular time in your life, then maybe they need to learn a little tolerance in their life.

If you ever feel that I have behaved like say "an idiot", then please feel free to tell me!! I, like many on here with 50+ years on this planet will not be running off sulking about being called something that I probably deserve to be called.

Please dont feel that you need to "change your ways". There are those that would see your forthright approach as inappropriate, I would respectfully suggest that if any of the men & woman on this forum feel that way then maybe they have some "growing up to do"!
If I could not take being told that I had been ###### or #######, then best I take time out to grow up a little.

I have taken the time to search & read the post of yours that has been deemed inappropriate. If ever I was to bait you about some thing, you along with other members have my permission to tell me to #################.
In the eyes of many on here Larry, you have nothing to apologize for !!

My comments may be those of a brash Aussie.
Like you, I have had the opportunity to to experience life's ups & downs & hope that you will realize in time, that you are a far better person for it!!

If some wish to play "silly little games of he called me a name or told me to do that" then maybe best to give them plenty of rope & let them do it to them self.

Best Wishes & good luck !!!!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Larry,

Yours was a very personal and heartfelt message, one you rarely see on a board like this. I've been following your posts for years, and wondered where you went. I hardly ever post, being that my 300D 2.5T just keeps puttering along at 305K, and I'm not much of an expert. But I REALLY want to welcome you back. I'm looking forward to your sincere dialogue and MB expertise.

Dana

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

X2. I always watch for Larry to respond if I'm following a thread.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

Many of us get infractions from time to time in a moderated forum environment. Either we get pulled off-sides by someone when we've "had enough", we just "take" the infraction but get that hard-to-pass-up one-liner out there, etc.....
It really isn't a big deal. You really have to be a first class know-it-all or just have prick-ish tendencies to get banned!
Even though we have been on different sides of the "junk" refrigerant discussions many times, you've always displayed the traits of a gentleman to me.
Like a wise man said, "That's all I've got to say about that......."

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Circumstances change and nobody knows the future. There is also more than a grain of truth to the expression. If you have your basic health intact with no major issues one can weather anything almost. Too many people have serious health issues. For them it is much harder to see the upside I imagine..

Older guys like myself can depreciate their worth to socirty if not careful. Or use it.I am one that uses it. It may be a little hard to visualise where our background fits in but it can and does if you can visualise it properly.

Rolling with the punches is not a lost art form either. I guess in retrospect I became so good at it that it almost totally evolved the way I deal with things. Everyone is different I know. We all deal with things in some fashion almost by our own exclusive methods sometimes.

Larry,you hopefully have not changed just your circumstances.

I offer you this - if you think you miss your Dad, and your life has worsened because of his loss - you have no idea of what it's like without your Mom and or your wife, if you think well of them that is. You will look back on your time with them with great loss if they precede you. Ask me how I know.....

You mentioned being on top of the world so to speak in your computer-related career. And you seem to be floundering career-wise/job-wise. Hopefully, money/income is not a problem for you, since that can only seem to make matters worse. And besides - poverty and being broke sucks. That said, I am thinking you are of sound mind, somewhere around 50 yrs. old. You need to consider that you can either learn to like/love your work, or you can loathe it. I suggest you learn to like your work, and the money it provides. Work gives you something to do with your time, and it keeps money rolling in -which isn't a bad thing. It is good for your mind, and it also gives others, perhaps your children if you have any - a good role model to go by. I happen to believe that God (my God anyway) likes it when I work - He likes people being productive with our time on earth. Most of us have to keep busy - or we don't eat. You just have to agree to keep busy is all to please yourself and every one around you. If you can or have something that pays well - say $20.00 an hour or up - learn to like it, is my best advice.

My private industry is way, way down as most are from what it used to be in the early 2000s too. I get by fine on 20% of what I used to bring in annually - however the amount used to be so large, almost 80% of it was discretionary to do with what I deemed with it. Now, to remain in my industry's precise sector, I have to really hustle to keep it going, or I'll lose what's left of it. I was fortunate my Dad told me when I was in my 20s that there would be a time in my life that I could not put money away, and to do so when I was earning the large/discretionary dollars. I have never wavered from following that advice 35 years later. And it has worked out well for me so far - since times have become lean these past few years.

That said, you do seem to be knowledgeable mechanically - that would be valuable to me were I that knowledgeable.

And lastly, if you don't like other's opinions, get used to it is my advice here - everyone is entitled to express their thoughts and feelings in this venue. Just let 'em have them is the key. Although the envious backbiting is atrocious at times from some individuals that want to tear you down, but that's basically their problem is how I see it.

I think there was some reactionary merit, though obscure in principle, with what you wrote about our President, FWIW. Even though the comment was out-of-bounds for this forum.

Glad to read your story - I know you miss your Dad. That's heartbreaking, I know.